Ireland coach Hallgrimsson hopes squad bonds will be stronger after tough period

BACKA TOPOLA, Serbia: Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has said his side will come out of the international window stronger after two fractious games against Israel that fans and politicians had called on his side to boycott. The matches had been a focus of attention since the sides were drawn together in February, with Ireland one of Europe’s most outspoken critics of Israel’s war in Gaza. There have been numerous protests in Ireland asking for the team not to fulfil the fixtures with Israel